From the Studio Album: Please Please Me (1963)
Song Overview
“Anna (Go To Him)” is one of the cover songs featured on The Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me. Originally recorded by American singer Arthur Alexander in 1962, the song was admired by John Lennon, who delivered a heartfelt lead vocal on The Beatles’ version.
Released in 1963 as part of Please Please Me, the song demonstrated the band’s ability to take an American rhythm and blues ballad and make it their own. While it was never released as a Beatles single, it remains one of the standout cover versions from their early catalogue and highlights Lennon’s emotional vocal style.
Many Beatles fans regard “Anna (Go To Him)” as one of the finest non-original songs recorded by the group during their formative years.
Who Wrote the Song?
Unlike many songs in The Beatles’ catalogue, “Anna (Go To Him)” was not written by Lennon and McCartney.
The song was written by:
- Arthur Alexander
Alexander was one of the most influential American soul and country-soul singers of the early 1960s, and his work was admired by many British musicians, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The Beatles were particularly fond of his emotional songwriting and often included his songs in their live performances.
When Was the Song Written?
Arthur Alexander wrote and recorded “Anna (Go To Him)” in 1962.
The song became a hit in the United States and quickly found its way onto The Beatles’ set lists during their club years in Liverpool and Hamburg.
At the time, the band regularly performed songs by American artists they admired, and “Anna (Go To Him)” became one of John Lennon’s favourites to sing.
Album and Release Information
- Writer: Arthur Alexander
- Album: Please Please Me
- UK Release Date: 22 March 1963
- Record Label: Parlophone
The song appeared as the third track on Please Please Me, The Beatles’ debut studio album.
Although it was never released as a Beatles single, it became well known through the success of the album and remains one of the most respected cover versions in their catalogue.
Recording Details
- Recorded: 11 February 1963
- Studio: EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
The Beatles recorded “Anna (Go To Him)” during the famous marathon session that produced most of Please Please Me in a single day.
John Lennon sang lead vocals and delivered one of his most emotional performances from the band’s early years. Despite suffering from a heavy cold during the session, Lennon managed to capture the vulnerability and heartbreak that made the original recording so effective.
The recording successfully combines the soulfulness of Arthur Alexander’s version with The Beatles’ distinctive vocal harmonies and guitar-driven sound.
Chart Performance
As an album track, “Anna (Go To Him)” did not chart independently.
However, it formed part of Please Please Me, which became one of the most successful British albums of the early 1960s and helped launch Beatlemania.
The album reached:
- Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart
Through the success of the album, millions of listeners were introduced to The Beatles’ version of the song.
Song Meaning and Interpretation
“Anna (Go To Him)” tells the story of a man reluctantly accepting that the woman he loves wants to return to another relationship.
Rather than trying to stop her, the narrator encourages her to go to the person she truly loves, despite the heartbreak this causes him.
The song’s emotional honesty and sense of resignation made it stand out from many love songs of the period. The lyrics focus on sacrifice and acceptance rather than jealousy or anger, giving the song a maturity that resonated with listeners.
John Lennon was particularly effective at conveying the sadness and vulnerability at the heart of the song.
Interesting Facts
- The song was originally recorded by Arthur Alexander in 1962.
- John Lennon was a great admirer of Arthur Alexander’s music.
- Lennon’s lead vocal is often considered one of the strongest performances on Please Please Me.
- The Beatles regularly performed the song during their Liverpool and Hamburg club years.
- Lennon recorded the song while suffering from a severe cold.
- It is one of several American rhythm and blues songs featured on The Beatles’ debut album.
- The emotional crack in Lennon’s voice during parts of the performance is often praised by fans and critics.
- The song helped introduce British audiences to Arthur Alexander’s songwriting.
Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media
Although “Anna (Go To Him)” was not featured prominently in any Beatles film, it has appeared on various compilation albums, documentaries and retrospective collections focusing on the band’s early years.
The song is frequently discussed in programmes examining The Beatles’ musical influences and their admiration for American rhythm and blues artists.
It also appears regularly in studies of John Lennon’s vocal development and early singing style.
Legacy
While often overshadowed by Lennon-McCartney originals, “Anna (Go To Him)” remains one of the most respected cover versions The Beatles ever recorded.
The song demonstrated the band’s ability to interpret material from other artists while retaining their own identity. It also highlighted John Lennon’s remarkable vocal abilities long before he became recognised as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation.
Today, the recording is regarded as one of the highlights of Please Please Me and a powerful reminder of the American soul and rhythm and blues influences that helped shape The Beatles’ early sound.
Lyrics and Copyright
Lyrics are copyrighted and are therefore not reproduced on this website. Official lyrics can be found through authorised Beatles publications and music publishers.
Note: Information on this page has been compiled from official Beatles releases, interviews, historical records and recognised Beatles reference works. Interpretations of song meanings may vary and are based on publicly available information.